What happens to your body when you swallow gum?
The experts respond, putting this age-old question to rest...
What happens to your body when you swallow gum?
We've all heard the same warning: "If you swallow the chewing gum, it will stay in your stomach forever"
This phrase alone is enough to traumatize a person, imagining a huge (and growing) rubber ball lodged inside their stomach, slowly clogging up their digestive system...
But what really happens when you swallow gum? Is your life in danger?
The experts respond...
What happens to your body when you swallow gum?
The first thing to do if you've accidentally swallowed a chewing gum is to stay calm, because what happens is.... nothing.
Gum is basically composed of butyl rubber (similar to that used in the manufacture of basketballs) as well as various flavorings, sweeteners and other additives. These change the gums consistency and flavor, but none of them are toxic.
American gastroenterologist Lisa Ganhja, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center explains that the digestive system is very strong "if it can digest a tough steak, it can digest gum.”
“Once it’s in, it’ll go out like everything else. There is no specific time frame because everyone’s digestive system motility is different.”
What happens to your body when you swallow gum?
But just because swallowing gum isn't bad for you, it doesn't mean it's good for you either.
Although chewing gum is harmless, specialists advise against swallowing it. According to Dr. Ganjha “chewing gum has absolutely no nutritional value so most health professionals would advise against swallowing it. Gum won’t harm or kill you but it just isn’t logical to swallow it purposefully.”
So now you know. After all these years you can chew gum without fearof accidentally swallowing it!
What happens to your body when you swallow gum?
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